Livestock in Bangladesh: distribution, growth, performance and potential

摘要

Thepaperexaminesdistribution,availability,outputgrowthandplanningperformanceofthelivestocksectorinBangladeshoverthepastsixtyyears.Thelivestockresourcesarerelativelywelldistributed.Althoughavailabilityperhectareincreasedforalltypesoflivestock,acountof1.55bovineperhectareisseriouslyinadequatetosupportdraughtpowerrequirements.Despiteremarkablelivestockproductgrowthof5.4%(dominatedbypoultrysector)andastableGrossDomesticProduction(GDP)contributionof2.1#8211;3.6%,budgetallocationsremained1%oftotaloutlayinsubsequentplanperiods.Ahostofinterrelatedfactorssuchastechnical,institutional,andsocial,areaffectingthedevelopmentofthelivestocksector.Acomprehensivepolicyforthelivestocksectorwaslaunchedonlyin2005whoseeffectiveimplementationandsuccessremainstobeseen.Governmentshouldencourageprivateinvestmentinlivestocksectorbutqualityassuranceofdayoldchicks,drugs,vaccines,feeds,andbreedingmaterialsthroughlegalandregulatoryframeworkisnecessaryforsustainabledevelopmentofthelivestocksector.